Little Eli's Ventures

Wow, the weeks have slipped by this month. So much has happened, I don't know if I can write it all.

Eli has had trouble breathing because of congestion and possibly some other issues. I switched doctor's last week because Dr. Smith just wasn't listening and didn't want to do anything about it, and I can't get in to see the ENT until July 23rd. So I've switched to Dr. Karen Whittemore who has an office in LaVerkin and Hurricane. She shows much more concern and is worried that his weight percentile has dropped to 20% and wants to figure out why he has such a hard time breathing. Thursday at the appointment Eli weighed 12 lbs and measured 26 in, so he is very long and skinny, and his lungs cave in everytime he breathes, and his nose runs like a river. She ordered an x-ray to check his lungs, prescribed antibiotics, as well as acid reflux medicine, and gave him the immunizations. Friday I we met with her again found out he does have a little bit of infection in his lungs and nose. She gave him an antibiotic shot to quickly clear up the lung infection before it turns to pneumonia. (Poor guy, shots are no fun! He is a trooper!) She also ordered a sweat chloride test to test for some kind of fibrosis (I'm not good with medical terms. I think it has something to do with asthma.) We did that today and then tomorrow it's back to her office to discuss the results. Oh, and one more thing, we have a machine that monitors his heartrate and breathing patterns at nigh as well. So needless to say, we have been busy these last few days. The antibiotics have cleared his nose which has really helped him breathe better. i don't think these other tests are of any concern, but it is good to know so we can take care of it if we need to. I'll be seeing the ENT next month as well. It could just be big adenoids and tonsils like our other kids. But with me knowing as little as I do about medical things, I need someone who shows enough concern so if something is wrong we can get it taken care of.

But through it all Eli is a trooper. He is always smiling and laughing. So it can't be too serious because he isn't lethargic, he is very much alert and curious and a happy baby. He is very interested in food now. Yesterday at the dinner table he wouldn't stop grabbing my plate and cup. I let him suck on some watermelon and you should have seen him, he was just slurpin' away. It's time to start the rice cereal, I'd say! He is such a sweetie-pie! He makes great eye-contact and coos and smiles at just about everyone who will pay attention to him, and no one can resist those bright blue eyes! I haven't met anyone yet, anyway.

Kyler's 4th Birthday! June 9, 2008

Happy Birthday, Kyler!

Went to Jumpin' Jacks in St. George and had sooooooooooooo much fun!
Gotta make it up the big slide!
Climbing...climbing...almost there!Whoa! That was awesome! Gotta do it again.

Jumpin' Jacks was a blast! And you've only seen part of it. It's a place where you can play and play and play without buying tickets or standing in line forever just to bounce once. Kyler could have played there all day and would've wanted more. It was a good place to celebrate his 4th birthday! After we played on the bounce-houses we drove to the park to eat cake and open presents. Kyler was singing "Happy Birthday to Kyler, cha cha cha" all day long. He was excited that it was finally his birthday to celebrate, and celebrate we did!

Happy Birthday, Buddy! We love you very much and are so glad you are a part of our family. You make it special! You are so kind and loving and patient. It's a wonder how we ever got along without your sweet spirit.

6 year old Connie sings

Another nice moment.

Paul Potts Britain's Got Talent

I love these inspirational moments!

Dentist....What A Scary Word

Wow, I finally have a minute to sit down and write something on the computer. It's been an eventful week already. Our next door neighbors, the Seely's, moved out Saturday and we will miss them terribly. It's been so quiet since they left, we feel like we live in a ghost town. They lived here for a short 3 months, but we feel like we've known them forever. I hope, hope, hope a nice family moves in.

Monday, I bottled apple pie filling and applesauce. The pink applesauce is made with red hots. Aren't they pretty? Trina bought a box for me Marie and Shawna last time she was up north and we all helped each other out with the pealing and cutting and cooking and bottling. It's alot of work, and we didn't even have to grow the apples. Thanks to Trina and Marie, they have helped me realize that bottling food is a great way to preserve it and it isn't too difficult, especially when we are able to be of help to each other. They've taught me alot. It's amazing what can happen when you put heads together.

Yesterday, was the dreaded dentist visit for Elizabeth and Kyler. I can honestly say that I could empathize with Liz that morning when she was feeling stress over the idea. Growing up, I hated everything about the dentist, from the smell of the office to the goopy taste of the floride treatments, (artifical strawberry has never tasted the same since). And don't forget the smell and sound of the drill, it still gives me chills. But now that I'm a parent I have to put that in the back of my head and convince my children that the dentist is good for them and is a necessity for their health. So I explained to Liz, while biting my tongue, that the visit will be great and if she is good she can pick out a special prize at Walmart.

I had chosen a pediatric dentist in St. George hoping he would be better for the kids and my peace of mind. It turned out to be a great choice. The lobby was filled with kid-friendly decor, toys, and a cool plamsa screen tv on the wall that was playing Willy Wonka. The x-ray vest even had a friendly smiley face on the front and the kids thought it was cool to wear the sunglasses while the staff cleaned their teeth. The staff was great, they not only made the kids feel comfortable, but also made me feel better as they handled the situation with ease. It can't be an easy job to do what they do everyday, I have to hand it to them.

I'm thrilled to say that my kids are cavity free and I plan to work hard to keep it that way. Liz was very good and didn't protest at all. She chose walkie-talkies for her toy and has been playing with them nonstop since. Kyler got a little golf set and has been practicing his putting skills, making his daddy proud. It turned out to be a great experience, I'm actually looking forward to the next visit. I think my children can say the same thing. But I'm not too sure if the word "dentist" has any better reputation.